Our walk to the Carolafelsen viewpoint

by Holger Felix

Our small walking group was out and about in Saxon Switzerland once again. In mid-October, we were drawn to the viewpoint on the Carola Rock. It is one of the most popular and most beautiful vantage points in the Saxon Switzerland National Park and, at 458 metres, also the highest point of the so-called Affenfelsen (Monkey Rocks). As already mentioned, the rock lies in the heart of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, between the Schrammsteine and the Kirnitzschtal valley near Bad Schandau. From up there, we could see not only the Affensteine but also the Schrammsteine along with the Falkenstein, the Lilienstein on the right bank of the Elbe, and some of the table mountains on the left bank, such as Königstein Fortress. From up there, we could see not only the Affensteine but also the Schrammsteine along with the Falkenstein, the Lilienstein on the right bank of the Elbe, and some of the table mountains on the left bank, such as Königstein Fortress. This beautiful vantage point was named after Queen Carola of Wasa-Holstein-Gottorp, the last Queen of Saxony. She lived from 1833 to 1907 and was the wife of King Albert I.